Reds out of race for O'Connor

James O'Connor has turned down interest from the Reds and other Australian franchises and is likely to stay in Perth.

Alexander Joe: AFP

Queensland coach Ewen McKenzie says he has been resigned for some time to the notion James O'Connor will not be joining the Reds next season.

The Reds have been notified by O'Connor's management he will not be moving to Brisbane in 2012 and it appears likely he will remain in Perth with Western Force.

McKenzie made contact with O'Connor in April when speculation grew he was unhappy at the Force and looking to move on beyond this season and it appeared the Reds had much in their favour in regard to signing the boom 20-year-old.

He attended Brisbane rugby nursery Nudgee and his family in based in Queensland, while the prospect of linking with close friend and fellow Wallabies star Quade Cooper was believed to be enticing.

However, both the Reds and Brumbies have been told O'Connor will not be wearing their colours next year, although Melbourne Rebels have not officially announced they are out of the running, despite media reports he has already decided to stay with the Force.

McKenzie was blunt when announcing at Ballymore on Wednesday that the Reds, who lead the Super Rugby ladder, have failed in their bid to recruit O'Connor.

"We've been contacted and he won't be at the Reds," he said.

"Where he is going to be I don't know."

McKenzie says the fact O'Connor's decision on his future had been delayed meant he was likely not to leave the Force.

"I've always said it is difficult to get people to leave and move around," he said.

"The longer it goes on, the less likely it is. I have always been, I guess, suspicious he wasn't coming our way for some time because it's been dragging on.

"I've been thinking more laterally for some time."

It has been reported that O'Connor will only sign a one-year contract extension if he stays with the Force to keep his options open in 2013, similar to the Reds deal penned by Cooper last month.

If so, the Reds could make a play for O'Connor again in 12 months time, although McKenzie was giving little away when asked about that prospect.

"I don't know the situation, I just know he won't be at the Reds [next year]," he said.

What might have been

McKenzie will get to see what the Reds missed out on when his troops meet O'Connor and the Force in Perth on Saturday night.

The Reds' mounting injury list has meant McKenzie has yet to finalised his matchday line-up, instead naming a 23-man squad for the trip west.

Among the inclusions is Rod Davies, who has not played since the round nine encounter against the Bulls at Lang Park on April 16 because of a knee injury.

The availability of Davies could not have come at a better time for the Reds, with backs Anthony Faingaa (hamstring), Ben Lucas (knee), Digby Ioane (concussion) all sidelined following the 22-14 loss to the Brumbies at Lang Park last Saturday night.

Inside centre Mike Harris is also still out of action because of a knee injury.

Davies, who was wearing heavy strapping on his knee at training on Wednesday, ignored suggestions he is returning early in light of the Reds injury crisis.

"It was either this week or against the Chiefs," he said.

"I was aiming to be back. My rehab has gone well. It's nothing like I have been rushed back."

Meanwhile, McKenzie is giving youth more chances with Reds Academy backs Jono Lance and Dallan Murphy included in his squad to travel to Perth.